Tennessee's 45-19 victory over Georgia might mean more to its fans than its first-year coach.
The fans know the history. Coach Lane Kiffin doesn't.
And as their young coach leads the program into the future, the fans can't forget their past.
UT's history: Like any program, it has had ups and downs. But the downs rarely linger.
Not since 1910-11 have the Vols suffered through back-to-back losing seasons.
Kiffin had nothing to do with last year's 5-7 record. But he will be linked to it if the Vols don't finish 6-6 or better.
The victory over Georgia comes with no guarantees. The Vols haven't clinched a winning season.
But they have taken a huge step toward avoiding a losing one.
A 2-4 start with Alabama, South Carolina and Ole Miss to come would have been a daunting challenge. A 3-3 record seems so much better, particularly since it was achieved against a Georgia team that almost upset nationally ranked LSU a week earlier.
Now, if UT can beat three losing teams - Memphis, Vanderbilt and Kentucky - it's assured of avoiding back-to-back losing seasons.
Such avoidance won't necessarily ignite a celebration. Kiffin wasn't hired to improve on last year's 5-7 record. Nor was he hired to produce winning seasons.
He was hired to win big. And he understands that as well as anyone.
No matter how many games UT loses this season, it has little bearing on whether Kiffin will ultimately succeed or fail. That will be determined more by recruiting and player development over the next few years.
Nonetheless, there are significant advantages in finishing at least 6-6 compared to 5-7. Most importantly, it provides tangible evidence of improvement.
UT fans have been heartened by the energy and enthusiasm provided by Kiffin and his coaching staff. Its hopes also have been bolstered by the staff's top-10 recruiting.
But in the midst of an SEC football season, recruiting can't make up for losing - no matter how respectable the loss might be.
A 10-point loss in The Swamp to No. 1-ranked Florida only takes you so far. As encouraging as it might have been at the time, it lost some of its impact after a loss to Auburn left the Vols 0-2 in the SEC with three more difficult games to come this month.
A third consecutive SEC loss would have had the Vols freefalling toward another losing season.
After a one-sided victory over Georgia, the previous losses - UCLA included - can be portrayed differently. The three losses were by a total of 18 points, compared to three victories by an average of 31 points.
UT is no longer the team that can't win in the SEC. It's just the team that can't win the close ones.
Imagine what a loss to Georgia would have done for a team with an open date ahead and second-ranked Alabama after that. Instead, the Vols have pulled themselves up to .500 and have two weeks to prepare for a team that looks every bit as formidable as Florida.
The Vols might not be good enough to upset Alabama, anymore than they were capable of knocking off the Gators. But they proved against Florida and Georgia that they're good enough not to be embarrassed by the Tide.
They also proved they're good enough to avoid back-to-back losing seasons.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 49
rshoptaw writes:
Let's see what Coach Kiffin can do with his first open date. I have a feeling our team will give Alabama much more than they are bargaining for.
FWBVol writes:
I said it yesterday after we beat Georgia, I believe that an 8-4 season is a realistic possibility. Notice, I said possibility, not a certainty.
I think the Alabama game will be much closer than some people think too. I think Bama has a great defense, but their offense doesn't seem to be all that overpowering.
It should be a good game. GBO!
whatcanbrowndoforyou writes:
We've got two weeks to prepare for a very good bama team. This time were not going in worrying about just keeping it close, were going in to win! I don't know about yall but I hate bama and it would make all these hard times well worth it to beat the pants off of em.
GahLee writes:
Alabama will be a very tough game for UT to win, but they can be very competitive.
Last week gives us hope.
Extra week of practice gives us hope.
The rest of the schedule looks winnable.
Ole Miss is who I thought they were, terrible.
South Carolina is South Carolina.
Memphis, Vandy, Kentucky should be wins.
The rebuilding process may be further along than some of us thought, then again we could be getting way too ahead of ourselves, ( reference week 1 ).
Either way it feels good...Go Vols!!!
blitzshoot writes:
How about betting that you'll be taking the trash out at the gas station in a few minutes.
Laydbakvol writes:
Well at least we've given Saban and his assistants a lot more to think about next week. I think it's generally believed that if UT's offence had shown up in Gainesville we would have had a decent chance of beating Florida. Why not Alabama?
98memories writes:
GA 48
Tenn 27
Vols go 2-4 on the way to 4-8. Next year will be the same and year 3 will be similar. Huge hiring mistake.
This is your comment! Really smart guy aren't you!
GahLee writes:
You can't talk about who we beat without looking at your schedule.
Charelston Southern, Troy, well those teams are awful as awful gets, be proud of those wins.
If we are as sorry as you say we are, then be proud of that win as well.
You just beat the number "4" team in the nation, a team that Georgia had beat until a terrible call by the refs, a Georgia team that we destroyed.
As for Auburn, I said all along that they were an 8-4 team, even after they started 5-0, Arkansas has a good offense and can put up some serious points.
Oh yeah, you guys beat Kentucky, huge win.
Ole Miss will take us to the wood shed? They have a worse QB than we do...lol, they are awful, we will beat them, Kentucky, Memphis, and Vandy.
Don't know what the high water mark will be, but I think we have already experienced the lowest of the lows that will happen during his tenure here.
Get used to us winning games, come next year, in Neyland, you will feel the wrath of the Vol nation.
linebam writes:
I don't think we're quite there yet to beat Bama, but I will be looking for a good game (and who knows?...). I do think this team can beat USC and give Ole Miss all it can handle. I'm optimistic for 8-4; but I think 7-5 is more realistic.
CoverOrange writes:
Remember history. Two years ago, Phil Fulmer, under fire from fandom, dropped a bomb on Georgia. Two weeks later, Nick Saban thumped Phil with half his starting OL out of the game. Let's not let history repeat itself.
we3vols#281863 writes:
Now don't lie, are you holding one in your mouth again? Go Vols! BTW...You were missed yesterday...LOLOL
we3vols#281863 writes:
Could not agree more. I like our direction and once again, Go Vols!
allntl1#565211 writes:
You are daman, I guess I need not watch anymore games. Who will win the National Championship and can you float me a couple thousand to place a bet on it. I will pay you back after the game ol nostradamus.
allntl1#565211 writes:
I must admit I think Tebow is great but everyone who watched that FL LSU game would have to admit Coach K was right, Urban is a cheater. The head movement by the center was a disgrace but it paled in comparison to the move the FL kid made to get open for the touchdown. The LSU defender played hard and then in one cheap move was robbed. That move is taught a player, nice coaching Myer. I believe Tebow is sincere in his faith but he needs to shut up for awhile after that.
DennisVols writes:
First: Way to straddle that fence John. Neither a commitment to a good season or a bad. The whole article was about ifs and buts and failed to commit to a single opinion.
So keeping with John's character here:
Now back to the question at hand, Bama in 2 weeks.
Advantages: UT has a bye week to heal injuries and prepare for the game. Kiffin has continued to make adjustment to get this offense operating on all phases. Sat. against GA Kiffin and UT found the missing key with Crompton (rolling him out on passing plays). The receivers stepped up and for the first time the timing seemed near perfect. UT still has a strong rushing attack which will help support their new found passing attack.
Bama has to play SC this weekend and they cannot be over looked. SC has discovered an offense themselves and their defense is still one of the best in the conference. It will take a lot of energy and focus for Bama to not let this become an upset.
Disadvantages: Saban is in his 3rd year of developing his program(compared to Kiffin’s first) at Bama. There is a talent difference even if you don't want to admit it. Depth at key positions along both lines will allow Bama to sub. and keep fresh. UT has just won its biggest game under CLK, Bama has already been here.
It will be important of the staff to keep UT focused during the 2 weeks. As the Bear once said "act like you have been here before" Enjoy the win against GA but get back to getting ready for the rest of the season. We are not the "team to beat" yet but we are heading in that direction. It is time to step forward, not backward against Bama. I disagree with John's statement "It's just the team that can't win the close ones."
UT is the team that just hasn't won the close one, not can't. There are going to be wins during this rebuilding stage that we won't be supposed to get and losses we shouldn't get.
The one biggest thing in this year’s game against Bama is this year we can win this game (didn't say we would) and last year we couldn't.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
volball7222 writes:
That is why they play the games........crow tastes like chicken if you smoke it with hickory!
ClearVol writes:
Aren't you also the guy who said bet on a gator blowout? I'd take your money..
Laydbakvol writes:
Note to DooDooMan: You are hilarious! I bet you really get off on all of the attention you get. We should just ignore you, but you're like a dirty diaper. You already know what it smells like but you have to take a sniff anyway.
hilltopper writes:
In response to some other posts. Auburn is not good and they beat us. LSU was way over rated and Fulmer is a far better coach than Les Miles and Chavis is doing a good job at LSU and will help Miles to keep his job but LSU wll not win big games with Miles' talent and coaching. He won with Stinking Saban's talent and on luck. You will not see another champion with two losses. Bama's defense will make our offense look silly which is not real hard to do. UCLA is bad and we got beat by them after they traveled across country. The team that travels across country rarely wins. Western is not the worst D1 team in 50 years. They are not a bit good but there have been worse. Almost every team joining D1 or the FBS as it is foolishly called now is bad or horribe. And some teams have been as bad as Western that have been in D1 for years. Now, our defense can slow Bama down but there (bama) defense will score at least 14. Our D can hold their offense to two touchdowns, but can we score? Ole Miss is not terrible but they were over rated and then we have to face them when they are playing for respect at Ole Miss. It will be a good game but a loss for UT. We might could beat them if Crompton drinks whatever he did before the Georgia game. Our defense will tear Snead up and he si playing poorly this year. Guess that is what happens when stupid Spurrier votes for you over TeBow. South Carolina has a good defense and a mediocre offense. Spurrier's offense is usually good but he can never win anything big anwhere unless he has a really good defensive team which he does not help with. He would have never won the big game at Florida with all that talent if he did not hire bob stoops and when Stoops left they went back to losing a game or two a year. UK will get us this year even though they are not very good. Vandy is bad when they should have been a decent team. They will play us close but a UT win.
Loud_Proud writes:
hahahahaha what a doueche'
hueypilot writes:
Didn't hear squat from you yesterday, you palavering windbag. You're as wrong as you can be. Tennessee will win six and could win 8 on the way to a bowl game. I will bet on it. And you need a new name. You wouldn't make a pimple on a man's butt.
tennezz writes:
And LSU would have beaten gators if tebow had not played, But erbie would have played him if he had been in a wheelchair!
brokebackvol writes:
Be glad Tebow could play or it might have been a different story last night. The clock strikes midnight in Gatorland when Tebow waves goodbye. We still hate you, and few wins satisfy like kicking your slimy tails outta rockytop back to your rancid ole swamp. Be gone, pestilence!
brokebackvol writes:
That is because alot of people don't like to hear when journalists tell it like it is, although they are certainly not infallible. Having lived in DC and now Atlanta for over 16 years, I've gained respect for Adams and his ability to let the criticism for not being a "homer" for the Vols.
I'd rather read the truth about our beloved boys in Big Orange, than only get a sugar coated version of the truth.
VolWoman writes:
Mr. Adams, didn't you read your own paper's interview with Eric Berry? Kiffin told them that this game was very very important to him because of recruiting. The most important game, so I doubt it meant any more to us than it did to him. It sure was fun, though!
pikavol writes:
da man owns you guys.
internetz 101...
ibvolman writes:
Da man is a great candidate for one of the "Real Men of Genius" comercials.
asleep#212036 writes:
The only thing that gives me hope is that same year, Florida had already embarrassed us in the Swamp, proving that not only could we not beat an elite SEC team, we didn't even belong on the field with them. Saban merely reinforced that concept. I think we lost to Alabama and Florida by a combined 60+ points that year - ouch! This year, we have lost 3 games by 18 points, including on the road at Florida. If nothing else, we are playing games to the end. And let's face it, unlike the glory days, we are just not good enough at this point to play poorly and beat decent teams, like Auburn or UCLA. If Crompton can play at 80% of what we saw Saturday, 8-4 is realistic. Of course, he's been the big question all year.....Go Vols!!!
asleep#212036 writes:
Lord knows I hate the Gators and Meyer is about as personable as a wounded rattlesnake BUT it is up to the referees to make those calls. Every offensive coach teaches their receivers to run pick plays, their offensive linemen how to hold without getting caught, and various other tricks of the trade. That offensive interference no call was worthy of an Alabama home game call for the Tide. Funny thing, the Gators were on the road. Proves my conspiracy theory going back to the glory days of our Vols - the SEC refs always, and I mean always, give the benefit of the doubt on questionable calls to the elite teams. By that I mean the teams that have the best shot at winning it all. We got those calls, along with Florida in the 90's. Auburn, LSU, and Florida got those calls in the early 2000's, and now its back to Bama and the Gators. I'm not whining about the officials, it happens in every conference in every game. When is the last time USC, Ohio State, Texas, or Oklahoma got tagged with a cheesy penalty against a lesser team? It's just the way it is. Meyer is right to teach it and let the refs call it (or not...). I just hope Kiffin and company can get us back to where we get those calls again. Go Vols!!!
asleep#212036 writes:
Good analysis. And another wrinkle - Saban WILL find a way to either keep Crompton in the pocket or make him miserable when he rolls out, I guarantee it. This means that Kiffin will have to reinvent his struggling quarterback yet again. However, with two weeks to prepare and with all the new-found confidence of Jon and his receivers, I think it is possible. Can we beat Bama if they play well? Probably not. But, these are college kids and if they are a bit off and we play well, crazier things have happened. I would love it. Go Vols!!!
finn writes:
Why do you actually waste your time posting on this site?
one4black writes:
Every week - I must say to your posts - what an @$$! Bama will beat us, but why is the world will Ole Miss and South Carolina? What has made you think those two teams are any better than the UGA team we just faced. UGA did beat USC! Even Fulmer beat USC most of the time - even when Spurrier was there. And both teams run a conventional offense. The UCLA and Auburn losses will look bad, as I really do think Auburn is going to collapse to finish 7-5 (trickeration works only so much before folks figure it out - thus I prefer the pro-style offense). Anyway, back to the Vols - I will not be so silly to think the victory over UGA saved the season, but it made it much better than it was and people like you will soon have to shut up.
Now back to you ... and people like you ... For the life of me, I do NOT understand why someone who claims to be a Vols fan would continue to act like you. What is the point! Do you have one in life? I did not care for Fulmer's last few years, but I supported the team ... you are just another example of the downfall of fandom and the reason message boards should be banned. You are simply an idiot!
one4black writes:
My apologies DaMan... I am not on here enough to know you were not even a Vol fan ... which says something about you since you seem to stay on this board. Need attention much? So I will have to take my comments for you and extend those to those negative Vols fans.
allntl1#565211 writes:
I agree to a certain degree but that was blatant and dirty. That LSU kid played great defense so they cheated. This is no comment toward you but I'm sure you would not teach your kid to steal or cheat, it's OK if you do not get caught. A lineman might struggle to control his man and grab as a reaction but what I saw was not a desparation play. I saw a kid on the sideline proud of what he did and probably bragged about it. I saw an LSU kid that was cheated after shut down defense.
higgman55 writes:
Daman, why don't you come up to Savannah, Tn., and we will see what kind of man the Daman is?
KINGKONG writes:
ole miss sucks and usc i have watch them in person both teams.man stop watching sportcenter watch the teams play a full game then quote your opionion.ole miss and usc two power houses they should meet up in the sec championship gm lol,you are a joke ya dummy
Johnboythefiremarshal writes:
ITs fans like you that make all warn inside
gavol writes:
I can't believe people take up for hacks like John Adams. Read this phooey. No other newspaper in the country would allow Adams to write this poorly and edit their sports. If KNS won't deal with Adams, I'm afraid we're stuck with him. He is kissing up to UGA because a legendary columnist is retiring from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is an idiot thinking he can get a job in Atlanta. He has always been negative toward the vols. There is a lot better talent at the KNS that this hack. KNS would be better without John Adams.
gavol writes:
Adams Column = incoherent, choppy, BS.
OrangeronFan writes:
Tennessee beat Georgia, Georgia beat Arkansas, Arkansas beat Auburn, Auburn beat Tennessee, Tennessee beat Georgia.
You can't look at who beat who, its college football. Its all about matchups. I think Alabama may be a bad matchup for us, though.
seventysevenvol writes:
good post.
pomp_and_circumstance writes:
He loves me - he loves me not. He loves me - he loves me not. He loves me....
WhitePineVol77 writes:
No fair...everyone got to rip on daman but me. They had removed his post by the time I got onto this article. Oh well, I couldn't add much more anyway
Jamey1210 writes:
I think this will be a defensive war! Although I "HATE" Satan, he is also a defensive genius! But you have to remember he also runs an NFL style offense that Monte has shown what he can do against. I think Ga had a higher rated offense that Bama before yesterday aswell. I think our defense will shut bama down if our offense can get 1st downs against this good defense. I predict we win 21-17. Unfortunately it would be be 24-17 but we miss a field goal and are down 10-7 at the half. Take it or leave it but this will be a good game.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I too think a defensive struggle with Bama is likely, but, statistics aside, I think Bama's offense is MUCH better than UGA's. McElroy is certainly no worse than Cox at QB, Ingram and Richardson are way better than any RBs UGA has, and Julio Jones is at least as good as AJ Green. Bama's O-line is also better than UGA's. We may be able to keep Bama's offense from exploding on us, early in the game at least, but I agree that the key to the game is UT's offense against Bama's defense. If we wind up with a half-dozen three-and-outs in the first half, we may well get killed. And we can never forget that Bama's return game with Arenas is at least as good as the UGA unit that gashed us so bad last Saturday. For all these reasons, as well as the home-field advantage, Bama is LIKELY too much for us to chew this year. However, that is why the games are played on the field. GO VOLS!!!
Psychovol writes:
It's okay to drink the koolaid.
volbald writes:
With fair to middlin QBing in the UCLA, Fla. and Auburn games, UT would be undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the country right now. We finally got what appeared to be superior QB play against UGA. It appears that if the players can execute Kiffin's game plan, UT could win every game. That's been a big IF. Ala. may have slightly better athletes than UT right now but Kiffin and co. should be able to make it close.
Tomkat writes:
You are correct in respect to a poor sports writer and I have given up the News paper because they cannot hire someone who can write. Any three old can compete with his writing about Tennessee. Why does he still live here??? because he cannot get a job anywhere else.
AFVol423 writes:
I'll hold my breath on the Alabama upset. A performance from the offense similar to last Saturday will make it interesting. I'm more incouraged about the Ole Miss game after seeing the rebles miss fire repeatedly this year.
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